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EDMUND MAHER, OF NE\V YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO l-IIMSELF AND MARCUS M.WILOOX, OF SAME PLAGE.v

HARNESS-TRACE.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 30,855, dated December 4, 1860.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDMUND MAHER, of the city, county, and State of NewYork, have invented a new and Improved Elastic Harness-Trace; and I `dohereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, making part of this specification.

Figure l, is a side view of the improved trace attached to the hame tug.Fig. 2, is a top view of the same. Fig. 3, represents a vertical sectionof the forward and rear ends of the same, on an enlarged scale. Fig. Ll,is a horizontal section of the same. Fig. 5, is a cross section of thesame. Fig. 6, is a vertical section of the forward and rear ends of atrace without perforations, and wedged box castings for securing itsends. Fig. 7, is a horizontal section of the same.

Similar letters in the several figures refer to corresponding parts.

This invention consists in forming a harness trace or tug of vulcanizedgutta-percha, india rubber, or other vulcanizable gum, having a slightlyyielding woven or other fibrous fabric within it, in such a manner as toenable it to have a slightly elastic elongation and contraction,corresponding with the inequalityv of draft of the horse, and therebygive a corresponding relief to his shoulders.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention I willproceed to describe its construction and operation.

The trace represented in the -drawings contains three-ply of cotton duckA, which is cut at such an oblique angle or biasy in relation to vthewarp, as to enable it to have the required extent of elongation whensubjected to the fullest force of draft. It is inclosed in vulcanizedgutta-percha, india-rubber or other elastic gum B, by the saine processthat the cotton duck of ordinary gutta-percha and rubber belting iscovered and secured in its place, its length being determined by thecharacter of trace desired. The inclosed fabric may however be formed ofhemp, flax, or other material, either woven, braided or twistedtogether, and covered by the gum, in such a manner as to enable it tohave the slight yield mentioned.

If the trace is designed to be attached directly to the whiflle-tree,its rear end will be perforated with the usual slot O, and

strengthened at this part by the insertion of a plate D, of metal orother suitable material, between or next the cotto-n duck. And in allcases where it is of the form to be attached to the hame tug E, by abuckle Z, as represented in Figs. 1,2, 3 and 4. Small bars or plates ofmetal F, or other hard material, are placed between or next the saidcotton duck, immediately in advance of the buckle-tongue holes, in orderto give increased resisting power, and prevent wear at these points.These results may be accomplished without the attachment of these barsor plates F, and plate D, by making the weft or filling of the inclosedfibrous fabric of such character of material, and body, as to insure thesame desired strength and durability.

After the traces are brought to the required size and form, they areplaced in corresponding metallic molds having any desired ornamentationon their surfaces, in which, during the process of vulcanization, theirrounded edges and entire surfaces are smoothed and glazed by longcontact with the corresponding smooth surfaces of the molds, under thehigh degree of heat necessary to vulcanize them.

Where the take-up of the traces is effected by chains at the rear ends,the eyes, hooks, or rings at either end will be secured by rivets in theusual manner.

By forming traces in the manner before described, a constant elongationand contraction will be given the same, proportionate with the draftexerted thereon, whenever the wheels of the vehicle to which they areattached meet any inequality in the road, or an additional force isrequired on the horses shoulders, which elongation will be immediatelytaken up again upon the horses shoulders being relieved of theirpressure, thus relieving them of the sudden shocks and jars they areconstantly subjected to from the causes mentioned, and preventing otherinjurious effects experienced in the use of the ordinary leather trace.

This character of trace receives the highest degree of durable polishduring-the process of vulcanization in the molds, similar to that ivento many vulcanized gum surfaces; an any desired alto-relievoornamentation may be readily formed on its outer surface during theprocess of fabrication.

In case it is desired, the two ends of the Y trace may beV fastenedrespectively to the hame tug and whiiile-tree pin, by metallic boxes G,H, in which event the forward box G, is fastened to the hame tugin lieuo f the ordinary buckle, and in a somewhat similar manner, the strapbeing turned within it as represented in Fig. 6, so as to inclose itsstraight side. The opposite side is made tapering, and when the forwardend of the trace is passed through the box G, a wedge I, whose surfacesare made to respectively fit against the flat surface of the trace andinner tapering surface of the box, is driven into the said box, and inthis manner the forward end is firmly clamped.v

The box H, in which the rear end of the trace is clamped by a wedge J,in a similar manner, is made 1n every respect like the forward one Gexcept that it is made more shallow, and its straight side is extendedsuiciently far beyond the box proper, to admit of a suitable slot s, orother formed opening to be made in it for the attachment of thewhille-tree pin, or a hook or other device to attach it thereto. It isobvious that by this method of attachment, with the smaller ends of thewedges situated next each other, the more strain exerted on the tracethe more tightly will its ends be held; and that by thus securing thesaid ends the entire warp at these parts will be embraced.

' What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- Thebefore described new and improved article of manufacture, the same beingan elastic harness trace formed of a textile fabric composed of thematerials and substantially in the manner herein set forth.

. E. MAI-IER.

Witnesses:

J. J. GREENOUGH, JULIUs HENNIS.

